On this day in 1978 – American musician and songwriter Terry Kath, best known as the original guitarist and founding member of the rock band Chicago, accidentally shot himself dead. After a party at roadie and band technician Don Johnson’s home in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, Kath picked up a semiautomatic 9 mm pistol and, leaning back in a chair, said to Johnson, “Don’t worry about it … look, the clip is not even in it.” To satisfy Johnson’s concerns, Kath showed the empty magazine to Johnson. Kath then replaced the magazine in the gun, put the gun to his temple and pulled the trigger. Apparently, unbeknownst to Kath. However, there was still one round in the chamber, and he died instantly from the gunshot.